Summary of our 12 pm News-As edited & read by Happiness Ifiok

Here’s the news round-up for TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020, edited and read by Happiness Ifiok and Produced by Ifeanyi Onyeogo.

CROSS RIVER STATE GOVERNMENT CALLS ON THE NIGERIA CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL, TO SET UP A TESTING CENTRE IN THE STATE

Representatives of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, have commended the efforts of the Cross River State government, in restraining the coronavirus pandemic.

Head of the delegation, Doctor, Omobolanle Olowu, made the commendation during a visit of a 7-man team to Calabar on Monday, to assess efforts made by the state government in the fight against COVID-19.

Dr Olowu also assured that the delegation will try and convince the federal government to patronize the state garment factory, in order to stimulate the country’s economy.

Receiving the guests, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, called on the team to set up a testing centre in the state for easy and prompt testing.

The commissioner also urged the federal government to set up a vaccine research and manufacturing factory in the state, for the production of Personal protective equipment.

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, TO BEGIN VERIFICATION CLAIMS FOR THE CURE OF COVID-19.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, says the ministry has begun verification claims for the cure of COVID-19.

The Minister made this known at the quarterly management meeting of the ministry and its agencies, held in Abuja on Tuesday.

It would be recalled that the ministry had offered the sum of 36 million naira to scientists and innovators, who can find the cure for COVID-19 and Lassa fever.

US PRESIDENT GIVES WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ULTIMATUM, OVER COVID-19 HANDLING

US president Donald Trump has sent a letter to the head of the World Health Organization WHO, threatening to pull US funding permanently over Covid-19.

Earlier on Monday, president Trump called the UN’s health body a puppet of China.

The president, who faces re-election this year and has been criticized for his handling of the pandemic, has blamed China for trying to cover up the outbreak, and has accused the WHO of failing to hold Beijing to account.

Meanwhile, China has accused the US of attempting to distract, from its own mishandling of the crisis.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE 

Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber have defended themselves, after rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine accused them of buying the number one spot on the US chart.

The rapper claimed that the pop stars had bought tens of thousands of copies of their charity duet “Stuck with you”, to boost its position, adding that some streams of his song Gooba were improperly discounted, leaving it in third place on the chart.

Grande, Bieber and chart compilers Billboard, have all denied the claims, while Bieber called the rapper’s accusations a lie.

SPORTS  

The Italian Football Federation announced on Monday that all its competitions, including Serie A, will remain suspended until June 14th.

The Lega Serie A had hoped for a return on June 13^th, but the federation has pushed back the date, in line with a government decree that all sports competitions be suspended until next month.

The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Saturday said he needed more guarantees before the green light could finally be given for football to resume.

HERE IS THE WEATHER FORECAST…

Residents of Calabar should expect scattered thunderstorms, with a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 23 degrees Celsius.

Residents of Uyo should expect cloudy weather, with a maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 22 degrees Celsius.

Always wash your hands with soap under running water or use an alcohol based sanitizer.

Cover your mouth and nose properly when sneezing or coughing, and avoid close contact with anyone showing respiratory illness.